Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer

Company: Smartly

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-09-24

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years implied)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design process, from initial discovery and ideation to final delivery and implementation, with a focus on complex digital products.

• Drive product strategy and user experience by deeply understanding customer needs, identifying high-impact opportunities, and translating complex workflows into intuitive, AI-native solutions.

• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and fellow Designers to ensure alignment on customer needs and product vision.

• Mentor and develop other designers, contributing to the growth of design practices and the overall quality of design output within the team.

• Shape the future of Smartly's platform by contributing to the evolution of its design system and ensuring cohesive, high-quality user experiences at scale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of "Lead Product Designer" implies a significant level of autonomy and responsibility for driving design initiatives. The emphasis on "AI-native experiences" and "complex advertising workflows" suggests a need for designers who can navigate intricate user journeys and leverage emerging technologies. The hybrid work model with specific office days indicates a preference for collaborative in-person interaction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead product discovery efforts, including user research, customer interviews, ideation workshops, and concept validation, to identify and define key user problems and opportunities.

• Translate complex customer workflows and business requirements into clear, intuitive, and high-fidelity user interface designs and interactive prototypes.

• Lead the design process from early-stage concepting through to final implementation, working closely with engineering teams to ensure design fidelity and optimal user experience.

• Collaborate with Product Managers to define product roadmaps, prioritize features, and ensure design efforts are strategically aligned with business objectives and customer value.

• Champion the Smartly design system, contributing to its growth and ensuring its consistent application across the platform to maintain brand integrity and development efficiency.

• Design and advocate for AI-powered product features, ensuring they are seamlessly integrated, user-friendly, and deliver tangible value to advertisers.

• Conduct user testing and gather feedback on prototypes and implemented features to iterate and continuously improve product experiences.

• Mentor junior and mid-level designers, providing constructive feedback, sharing best practices, and fostering their professional development within the design team.

• Contribute to the overall product strategy by providing design perspectives on market trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging technologies in ad tech and mar tech.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on execution, and leadership. The mention of "AI-native experiences" and "advertising workflows" suggests a need for a designer with experience in complex B2B SaaS platforms, particularly within the martech or adtech space. The emphasis on "shaping the future of our platform" indicates a strategic influence on product direction.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is typically expected for a lead-level role.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, with a proven track record of designing and shipping complex digital products. Experience leading design initiatives and mentoring other designers is crucial.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end product design, encompassing discovery, ideation, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and user validation.

• Strong proficiency in user research methodologies, including customer interviews, usability testing, and survey design.

• Advanced skills in creating interactive prototypes using tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Deep understanding of design systems, their architecture, and their application in building scalable and consistent user experiences.

• Ability to translate complex user workflows and business logic into intuitive and elegant user interfaces.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and influence decision-making across diverse teams.

• Experience in product discovery, problem definition, and opportunity identification.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach other designers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the marketing technology (MarTech) or advertising technology (AdTech) industries.

• Familiarity with AI-native product development and designing AI-assisted user experiences.

• Experience with front-end development principles or technologies (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineering.

• Proficiency in prototyping through code.

• Experience designing for global audiences with diverse cultural contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is implied by the "Lead" title and the scope of responsibilities. The preference for MarTech/AdTech experience and AI design is a strong indicator of the specific domain expertise valued for this role. The mention of front-end development and prototyping through code suggests a desire for designers who can bridge the gap between design and engineering.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and a demonstrated ability to solve complex problems.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process followed, key decisions made, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

• Examples of complex digital products or workflows you have designed, highlighting your ability to create intuitive user experiences.

• Demonstrations of your experience with product discovery, user research, and validation methodologies.

• Inclusion of projects that showcase your contribution to or creation of design systems, emphasizing consistency and scalability.

• Evidence of your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Research) throughout the product development lifecycle. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the methodology used for each phase of the design process, from initial research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and handoff to engineering.

• Clearly outline how user feedback and data were incorporated to iterate on designs and drive improvements.

• Showcase your approach to documenting design decisions, user flows, and system components to ensure clarity and alignment within the team.

• Demonstrate how you measure the success of design implementations, focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) and user satisfaction metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just visual design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and leadership potential. The emphasis on "complex workflows" and "AI-native experiences" means case studies should ideally reflect these specific challenges.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Lead Product Designers in Mexico City with 5-10 years of experience, and considering Smartly's global presence and the tech industry, a competitive annual salary range is estimated to be between MXN 900,000 to MXN 1,500,000 (approximately USD 50,000 to USD 85,000). This range accounts for the Lead title, the complexity of the role, and the cost of living in Mexico City.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Access to robust healthcare packages, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Mental Health Support: Dedicated mental health services and resources to support employee well-being.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid holidays and family leave policies to ensure a healthy work-life integration.

• Equity Options: Opportunity to participate in the company's success through equity or stock options.

• Performance-Based Rewards: Recognition and rewards tied to individual and company performance.

• Competitive Compensation: A salary package designed to be competitive within the tech and design industry in Mexico City.

• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth, skill enhancement, and career advancement within Smartly.

• Flexible Hybrid Workplace: A hybrid work model allowing for a balance of office collaboration and remote flexibility.

• International Work Opportunity: Option to work abroad for up to 30 days annually, providing flexibility for personal travel or experiences.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. While the hybrid model offers flexibility, core working hours will likely align with business needs and team collaboration requirements, especially for in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market data for similar roles in major tech hubs like Mexico City, considering the "Lead" designation and the specific industry (SaaS, AdTech). The benefits listed are directly from the provided text and are highly attractive for attracting top talent. The hybrid work policy with international work options is a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Smartly operates in the AI-powered advertising technology (AdTech) and marketing technology (MarTech) sector. This industry is characterized by rapid innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a strong focus on performance and ROI for clients. The company's success relies on its ability to help brands optimize their advertising spend and creative output through advanced technology.

Company Size: With over 750 employees globally, Smartly is a significant player in the AdTech space. This size suggests a company that has established processes and infrastructure while still retaining agility and opportunities for individual impact. For operations professionals, this means a structured environment with potential for cross-functional collaboration across various departments and geographies.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, the company's description as a leader in AdTech and its global presence imply a history of growth and market establishment. This suggests a company with a proven business model and a forward-looking vision.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: The "Lead Product Designer" role implies being part of a broader Product Design or Product Development team. This team likely consists of Product Managers, Engineers, UX Researchers, and other Designers.

• Reporting Structure: The Lead Designer likely reports to a Design Manager, Head of Product, or VP of Product, and is responsible for mentoring and guiding other designers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes close partnerships with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated product development process.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Smartly leverages AI and data analytics to drive advertising performance. Design decisions are expected to be informed by data, user behavior, and performance metrics.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The company focuses on optimizing complex advertising workflows for its clients. Design efforts will be geared towards simplifying these processes and enhancing efficiency.

• Automation & Efficiency: As an AI-powered company, there's a strong emphasis on automation and leveraging technology to achieve scale and efficiency in both internal processes and client-facing solutions.

Company Website: https://www.smartly.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on AI and AdTech is critical. Operations roles within such companies often involve managing complex data pipelines, optimizing marketing automation, and ensuring seamless integration between various MarTech/AdTech platforms. The global, diverse workforce is a key cultural element.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Lead" position, signifying a senior individual contributor role with leadership responsibilities. It sits above a standard Product Designer and below a Director or Head of Design. The role involves not only executing design tasks but also shaping design strategy, mentoring junior team members, and influencing product direction. It's a critical step for designers looking to move into management or specialized senior expert roles.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of Product, or a similar senior leadership role within the Product organization. They will, in turn, mentor and guide other Product Designers, UX Researchers, and potentially junior members of the product team. This structure facilitates both strategic direction from above and team development from within.

Operations Impact: The Lead Product Designer's impact is substantial, directly influencing the user experience of Smartly's AI-powered advertising platform. This includes designing intuitive interfaces that help customers manage billions of ad impressions, optimize creative assets, and achieve tangible business outcomes. Their work contributes directly to customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and ultimately, revenue growth by making the platform more effective and easier to use.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Potential to deepen expertise in AI-native design, complex B2B SaaS product design, and the AdTech/MarTech domain. Opportunities to lead larger, more complex design initiatives and product areas.

• Leadership Development: Transitioning into management roles (e.g., Design Manager) or specializing further as a Principal/Staff Product Designer, focusing on strategic design leadership and architectural vision.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Opportunities to lead design-thinking workshops, contribute to company-wide product strategy sessions, and influence product roadmaps at a higher level.

• Industry Specialization: Becoming a recognized expert in designing for advertising technology and AI-driven platforms, potentially leading to speaking engagements or contributions to industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title suggests a path towards more strategic design leadership or specialized senior individual contributor roles. The growth opportunities are framed around deepening domain expertise and expanding leadership influence, which are typical career trajectories for senior designers in tech companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring the employee to be in the Polanco, Mexico City office at least three days per week. This indicates a modern office environment designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and team cohesion. The remaining days offer remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Polanco, Mexico City. This is a well-known business and commercial district in Mexico City, suggesting accessibility via public transport and proximity to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on in-office days suggest that the office is set up for collaborative work, including meeting rooms, brainstorming spaces, and common areas where teams can interact.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Designers will have access to the necessary hardware, software (e.g., Figma, Adobe Creative Suite), and high-speed internet required for their work. Collaboration tools like Slack, Jira, and Confluence are likely standard.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid setup encourages regular face-to-face interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and fellow designers, facilitating quick feedback loops and stronger working relationships.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the hybrid model providing flexibility. Core hours will likely be established to ensure overlap for collaboration, especially on days spent in the office. The company also offers the flexibility to work abroad for up to 30 days annually, adding another layer of work-life integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid requirement with specific office days is a key environmental factor. It suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration for brainstorming and team building, while also recognizing the benefits of remote work for focused individual tasks.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio to assess initial fit and experience.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, detailing your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Some companies may also provide a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders, including Product Managers, Engineers, fellow Designers, and potentially leadership, to assess technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Product, VP of Design) to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall alignment with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-4 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in complex digital product design, AI-native experiences, and workflow optimization.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key challenges faced, the solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes achieved. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process: Detail your approach to product discovery, user research, prototyping, validation, and cross-functional collaboration. Show how you arrived at your solutions, not just the final designs.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify the results of your work whenever possible. This could include improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, or adoption rates.

• Showcase Leadership: If applicable, include examples of how you've mentored designers, influenced product strategy, or led design initiatives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly research Smartly, its products, target audience, and recent industry trends in AdTech and AI.

• Focus on Process: Even if time is limited, demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving. Articulate your assumptions, the questions you'd ask, and the steps you'd take to tackle the problem.

• Prioritize: For timed challenges, focus on the most critical aspects of the problem and deliver a well-reasoned solution, even if it's not fully polished.

• Communication is Key: Be prepared to clearly articulate your thought process, design decisions, and any trade-offs you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Lead Product Designer is rigorous and heavily focused on demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to lead. The portfolio review is a critical gate, and candidates should prepare to discuss their work in detail, emphasizing process and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe XD. Candidates should be proficient in at least one, ideally Figma.

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or internal research platforms for conducting usability tests and gathering feedback.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello for task management, bug tracking, and documentation. Slack for real-time communication.

• Design System Management: Tools like Zeroheight or Storybook, and the internal infrastructure for maintaining and versioning the design system.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Pendo for understanding user behavior within the platform.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and reporting on key product metrics.

• A/B Testing Tools: Optimizely, Google Optimize, or internal A/B testing frameworks to validate design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how the CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with the product is beneficial for context. The platform itself is an AdTech/MarTech solution, so familiarity with related technologies is a plus.

• AI/ML Tools: Exposure to or understanding of how AI/ML models are integrated into product features and user interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma is essential. Familiarity with product analytics platforms and an understanding of how design impacts user behavior and business metrics are crucial for a Lead role. Awareness of AI/ML integration in product design is increasingly important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decisions: A core value is likely the use of data and user insights to inform design choices and measure impact, aligning with Smartly's AI-powered approach.

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and solving customer problems, ensuring that the platform delivers tangible value and a positive user experience.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and close partnership across Product, Engineering, Design, and Research teams are vital for success.

• Innovation & Excellence: A drive to push boundaries, explore new technologies (like AI), and maintain high standards of design quality and execution.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Designing solutions that are not only effective but also scalable and efficient, supporting Smartly's global operations and client base.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Product Teams: Designers work as embedded members of cross-functional product teams, fostering close collaboration from inception to delivery.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: An open culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged among designers and with other departments to refine designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, design patterns, and learnings across the design team and wider organization.

• Agile Methodologies: Likely adherence to agile or similar iterative development processes, requiring flexibility and continuous adaptation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values emphasize a blend of analytical rigor (data-driven, AI), customer focus, and collaborative innovation. For a Lead Designer, embodying these values means championing user needs, leveraging data, and fostering strong partnerships to drive product excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Navigating and simplifying highly complex advertising workflows and AI-driven features for a diverse, global user base.

• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Integrating cutting-edge AI technologies while ensuring the product remains intuitive and accessible to users with varying technical proficiencies.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent vision and execution across multiple product teams and stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.

• Evolving AdTech Landscape: Keeping pace with the rapid changes in the digital advertising industry, platform policies, and emerging technologies.

• Mentorship at Scale: Effectively mentoring multiple designers and contributing to the growth of the entire design team's capabilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening AI Design Expertise: Gaining hands-on experience designing sophisticated AI-powered features and understanding their user implications.

• Specializing in AdTech/MarTech: Becoming an expert in the nuances of advertising technology, client needs, and platform integrations.

• Strategic Product Leadership: Developing skills in product strategy, roadmap influence, and driving design vision at a company-wide level.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Honing leadership skills through direct mentorship and contributing to the development of a high-performing design team.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend industry conferences, contribute to design communities, and represent Smartly's design expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a leading AdTech company focused on AI and complex B2B solutions. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing expertise in these specialized areas and developing leadership capabilities within a growing organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex workflow for a B2B SaaS product. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure user adoption?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and user impact)

• "How would you approach designing an AI-native feature for our advertising platform? What considerations would be paramount?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI design principles, user trust, and value proposition)

• "Imagine you have conflicting feedback from Product Management and Engineering on a design. How would you navigate this situation to reach an optimal solution?" (Highlight collaboration, negotiation, and data-driven decision-making skills) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Smartly's mission and our position in the AdTech industry?" (Show research and genuine interest)

• "How do you foster a collaborative environment within a hybrid team, especially when working on complex design problems?" (Discuss your approach to team dynamics and communication)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work, particularly in relation to business objectives and customer outcomes?" (Emphasize metrics, ROI, and data-informed design) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, begin with the business/user problem, your role, the solution, and the impact. Keep it concise and engaging.

• Focus on Your Contribution: Clearly articulate what you did, the decisions you made, and the rationale behind them, especially in team projects.

• Visualize Your Process: Use wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final designs to illustrate your journey. Explain your choices at each stage.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design decisions, trade-offs, alternative solutions, and how you handled challenges or feedback.

• Connect to Smartly: Where possible, draw parallels between your experience and Smartly's product, industry, or challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving under complexity, collaboration skills, and a deep understanding of user-centered design within a B2B SaaS and AI context. The portfolio presentation is key to showcasing this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-4 impactful case studies that showcase your experience with complex digital products, AI-native features, and B2B workflows. Tailor your selection to highlight relevant skills for Smartly.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, key responsibilities, and achievements, using keywords relevant to product design, UX research, AI, and AdTech. Highlight leadership and mentorship experience.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, process explanation, and measurable impact. Be ready to articulate your design rationale and problem-solving approach.

• Research Smartly: Understand Smartly's product offerings, target audience, AI strategy, and recent company news. Familiarize yourself with their design system if publicly available, and consider their competitive landscape in the AdTech industry.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.